Opening publisher files from older version

[Miss Sue]

I have been asked to convert some old publisher files to pdf for a friend. I
downloaded the trial for pub 2007 but it will not open the files. File dates
range from 1995-2004.

1) is there any way to tell what version the files were created in?

2) would an earlier version (98 or 2002?) open files created by other
versions of publisher? When did the format change so that the "new" programs
can not open earlier versions?

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Mary Sauer]

Publisher 2007 will open most old versions with the exception of 2.0... I'm not
sure about the limitation of the trial version. There have been security updates
that interfere with opening some files. You might download and install the
hotfix.

Description of the Publisher 2007 hotfix package (Publisher.msp) June 30, 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972566/

Publisher 2002 will open old versions as well as opening 2003 and 2007
publications.

 

[Miss Sue]

I tried to apply the hotfix, apparently it doesn't work for the trial version
(Message: "Expected version of the product not found on this system"). A
bummer, as I was looking forward to buying the full version but if it won't
allow me to open these files that's a major drawback.

If I can buy a copy of publisher 2002 it will open files created in any
version before that, even 2.0?

Thanks
Sue

 

[Mary Sauer]

Because of a security install Publisher 2.0 documents will not open unless you
have Publisher 95 or maybe 97.

There is a workaround here:
Error message when you try to open a Publisher 2.0 publication in Publisher
2003, Publisher 2002, or Publisher 2000: "Publisher cannot open this file"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924685/en-us